Dripless paper cup

ABSTRACT

A paper or foam cup having an aperture in the cap positioned to enable a user to drink from the cup through the aperture. Leakage through a gap between cap and cup, normally found in caps of the prior art formed by a step in the rim of the cup at the meeting location of the cup rim and seam of the cup, is prevented by any one of sevearal embodiments of the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a cup made of any one of paper, foam,plastic foam and particularly to a paper cup that does avoids drippingliquid contents of the cup from leaking from the cup onto the user.

BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

[0002] Paper cups are used to hold beverages—coffee, soft drinks, etc.to be ultimately drunk by a user. The cup is typically a paper sheetbent into a cylinder to where two opposite edges of the sheet are gluedtogether. The overlap union of the edges forms a seam that extends fromthe lip to the bottom of the cup. The lip of the cup is then rolled toform a rim around the lip of the cup that reinforces the rim. It ischaracteristic of this construction of the cup that the overlap of edgesforming a seam inadvertently forms a lump or step in the ring at the endof the seam.

[0003] Such cups, dispensed from fast food stores and coffee shops, areoften provided with a plastic cap that snaps around and onto the rim atthe lip of the cup to prevent spillage particularly when the cup isbeing transported, e.g., in an automobile. In some versions, the cap hasa “drinking” hole near the edge of the cap (the hole being about ¼ inchdiameter) whereby the user is able to drink the contents through the“drinking” hole with reduced incidence of spillage when he is otherwiseengaged such as riding in an automobile.

[0004] However, the cup with cap is not a perfect solution to theproblem. The presence of the lump or step in the rim at the seam resultsin a small opening of gap between lip and cap. When the cap is placedonto the cup at an orientation of the cap where the drinking hole isclose to the seam, liquid leaks out unbeknown to the user when he drinksthrough the hole in the cap and the leakage drips onto the usersclothing, etc., especially if the liquid is hot

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide a cup with cap thatavoids the problem of leakage associated with the opening between lipand cap due to the presence of the lump or step in the rim of the cupformed by the seam.

[0006] This invention is directed toward construction of a cup that hasno sharp lump or step in the rim forming the lip in the cup that wouldotherwise result in an opening between the lip and a cap snapped ontothe lip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIGS. 1A, B and C show a cup of the prior art.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a sectional cutawy view of a cup with feathered edge.

[0009]FIG. 3 shows a cup with a second ring.

[0010]FIGS. 4A, B, C, D, E show the cup with cutouts in the sheetpositioned to reduce/eliminate the step or lump.

[0011]FIG. 5A shows a cup with compliant gasket.

[0012]FIG. 5B shows a piece of sponge adjacent the gap.

[0013]FIG. 5C shows a sponge ring around the cup near the rim.

[0014]FIG. 5D is a sectional view showing the sponge under the rim ofthe cup with a hole in the rim.

[0015]FIG. 5E is a sectional view showing the sponge under the skirt ofthe cap.

[0016]FIGS. 6A, B show a cup with markings to orient the capdiametrically opposite the seam in the cup.

[0017]FIG. 7 shows the cup and cap with an egg shape.

[0018]FIG. 8 shows the cup with a secondary sleeve that engages theoverlying surface of the cap.

[0019]FIG. 9 shows the cup with a flattened rim that engages the flatmounting surface of the cup thereby avoiding the formation of anaperture.

[0020]FIG. 10 shows the reverse curve for snapping cup onto the rim inonly one orientation.

[0021]FIGS. 11A, B show feathered edges of the paper for forming thecup.

[0022]FIGS. 12A, B show the lump or step reduced by suitable means suchas abrasion, pounding the lump or step, or applying filler to the step.

[0023]FIG. 13 shows the rim of the cap with a thread for engaging thethreaded rim of the cup with a block in each thread positioned to alignthe drinking aperture in the cap positioned diametrically opposite thestep in the cup when the cap is screwed onto the cup.

[0024]FIG. 14 shows an embodiment in which the rim of the cap has aconvouted extension.

[0025]FIG. 15 shows an embodiment in which a band around the cup isflared.

DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION.

[0026] Turning now to a discussion of the drawings, FIG. 1A shows a cup10 of the prior art. FIG. 1B shows a sheet 12 (e.g., paper, plasticfoam) ) for forming the cup of FIG. 1A. The sheet 12 is bent to form atruncated cone (tapered cylinder) by joining the two opposite edges 14A,B of the sheet 12. One edge 14A overlaps the other edge 14B and theedges are secured together by glue to form a seam 22. A bottom edge ofthe truncated cone is joined to a paper disk (not shown) forming thebottom of the cup. The top edge of the truncated cone is rolled to forma firm lip 18. A step or sharp lump 20 is inadvertently formed in thelip 18 because of the double layer of paper forming the seam 22 in thecup 10

[0027] A cap 24 is poised for snapping onto the lip 18 of the cup 10.The cap 24 has a hole 26 near the edge of the cup enabling a user todrink the contents of the cup 10 through the hole 26.

[0028] However, as shown in the cutaway view, FIG. 1C, when the cap 24is snapped onto the lip 18 of the cup 10, the step or lump 20 causes agap 30 to occur between the meeting surfaces of the cap 24 and the lip18. When the cap 24 is snapped onto the lip 18 such that the gap 30 isclose to the hole 26 (rather than distal from the hole 26) in the cap24, then leakage occurs through the gap 30 when the user drinks throughthe hole 26.

[0029] There are several embodiments of this invention that provide acup in which leakage of the liquid through a gap between cap and lip isavoided.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a sectonal view showing one embodiment, in which a paperor polyethylene strip 32 straddles and is secured to the lip 18 of thecup 10. The strip is secured by glue, caulk or non-toxic sealant or anysafe material to seal the gap and selected to withstand the heat of ahot drink. The edges 34 of the strip 32 extend beyond both ends of thelump or step 20. The edges 34 of the strip 32 are “feathered” or has atrapezoidal shape so that there is no abrupt step in the rim forming thelip 18 and the cap 24 has sufficient compliance so that the cap 24 formsa tight seal along the entire length of the strip 32. The strip 32 mayhave a trapezoidal shape providing that, when the strip is wrappedaround the rim, any lump has a gradual slope on each end that mitigatesagainst formation of an abrupt step that results in a gap between capand cup when the cap is mounted on the cup.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment in which asecondary ring 36 (preferably injected molded or elastomeric material sothat it has no seam) is securely sealed onto the lip 18 thereby forminga secondary lip that has no lump or step.

[0032] A cap 24 snapped onto this secondary lip would not engage anylump that would otherwise create a gap.

[0033]FIGS. 4A, B show another embodiment in which a shoulder 38 is cutin a corner of the sheet 12. The edges 14A and 14B are joined formingthe cup 10. FIG. 4C is a sectional view showing the lip 18 of the cup 10wrapped around a short rod 41 of plastic, sponge, paper or othermaterial, not shown thereby avoiding overlap to form a lump at the endof the seam in cup 10. The seam and joint is sealed with a non-toxiccaulk, glue or sealant when necessary to avoid gap formation.

[0034]FIG. 4D shows an alternative arrangement in which one edge 14D hasa cut 53 arranged to permit rolling the edge 14D into a smaller diameterthan rolled edge 14E. As shown in FIG. 4E., when edge 14E is rolled overrolled edge 14D, the step is minimized or elimunated.

[0035]FIG. 5A is an exploded view of another version in which acompliant gasket 42 is securely mounted on the inner rim of the cap 24where the cup and cap meet each other. The gasket 42 is made ofelastomeric material so that it conforms to the lip 18 providing thatopenings between lip and cap occurring without the gasket are avoided.

[0036] In one embodiment, the gasket coprises a compliant sponge.

[0037]FIGS. 5B, B show another embodiment in which a sponge 51 ismounted on the cup close to the lip 18 so that any leakage through theaperture will be retained by the sponge 51. In ine version (FIG. 5B) thesponge 51A is a short section glued to the cup 10. In another version,(FIG. 5C the sponge 51B is a ring (or band) that encircles the cup closeto the lip 18.

[0038]FIG. 5D is a sectional cutaway view showing another embodimentincluding a small hjole 52. The hole 52 is located in the seam 22through the lip 18 and communicates with the suitable absorbing matrialsuch aas sponge paper, cloth, etc. Beverage wil leak out through thehole 52 and be absorbed by th sponge 51A “stealing” any beverage thatwould otherwise leak at the step 20. It will be understood that “sponge”is an appropriaate absorbing material.

[0039]FIG. 5E shows the sponge (suitable absorging matrial such assponge, paper, cloth, etc) under lip 18 of cup 10 between the sie of thecup 10 and skirt 24 of cap 24. Cup 10 and cap 24 are shown cuaway inFIG. 3E,

[0040] In another embodiment, colored markings and indicia on the cupand cap warn the user not to position the hole in the cap adjacent theseam in the lip. A number of versions of warning are contemplated. FIG.6A shows one version being a simple statement on the cap, “DON'T BE ADRIP” and statement on the cup, “LINE UP THE STRIP” with alignment marks31 on both cap and cup. The habitual coffee-drinking user will soonlearn to follow the direction and orient the cap on the cup such as toavoid aligning the lump 20 with the hole 26 in the cup 10.

[0041]FIG. 6B shows another version in which an outline of a hand 11 isimprinted on the cup 10 opposite the seam so that when the cup is tiltedas the user drinks. The beverage flows away from the seam.

[0042]FIG. 7 is a top view of another version of the cup in which therim 18 of the cup 10 is not a circle but rather is egg shaped. The cap24 is also egg shaped so that the cap will snap onto the rim 18 of thecup 10 in only one orientation. In this orientation, the hole 26 isdiametrically oppositely positioned distal from the lump 20 so that theuser can drink from the hole in the cap without leakage through theopening formed by the lump 20.

[0043]FIG. 8 shows another version in which a sleeve 50 is poised forinserting into the cup 10. The cap (not shown)fits snugly into thesleeve thereby avoiding leakage through any gap that is otherwise formedby the seam in the rim of the cup.

[0044]FIG. 9 shows the lump 20 has been flattened out. The surface 25 ofthe cap 24 engaging the rim 18 is also flat so that a gap at location 30does not form at the interface of the cap and rim of the cup.

[0045]FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the lip of the cap 24 having areverse curve 50A poised to interface with the rim 18A of the cup 10.The reverse curve 50A provides that the cap will “snap” down over lip 18of the cup 10 so that the cap 24 is secured to the cup. It is anembodiment of this invention that the thickness of the rim 18 atlocation 18B of the cup is greater than the thickness of the lip 18A onthe diametrically opposite side. The reverse curve 50B of the cap 24 isaccordingly greater on one edge of the cap than reverse curve 18A at theopposite location. This provides that the cap 24 will sit with only oneorientation on the cup 10 with the hole on the cap diametricallyopposite the seam in the cup.

[0046] The radii of the convex surface mating with the concave surfaceare selected to apply sufficient force between the surfaces to level(fill) the triangular opening caused by the step.

[0047]FIG. 11A, shows an edge of the paper forming the cup before (FIG.11A) and after (FIG. 11B) the seam 14 is formed. The edges 14A and 14Bare feathered so that the thickness of the lip 18 is uniform at the seamas shown in FIG. 11B. Therefore, when the edge of FIG. 11B is rolled, nostep or sharp lump will be formed.

[0048] There have been described several versions of an invention toavoid spillage that otherwise occurs due to the formation of a gapbetween the lip of a cup and a cap snapped onto the lip of the cup dueto the presence of the step at the rim of the paper cup. An object ofthe invention is to remove the step or lump occurring at the seam of thecup or to promote mounting the cap onto the cup oriented to where thehole in the cup is not adjacent to the lump on the rim. Variations ofthe invention may be contemplated after reading the specification andstudying the drawings, which are within the scope of the invention.

[0049] For example, FIG. 12A shows that the step or sharp lump 20 hasbeen removed by any one of:

[0050] abrading the lip or cutting the step or lump away with a suitabletool

[0051] pounding or forcing the upper level of the step down to where theupper level is planar with the lower level of the step;

[0052] pounding or forcing the lower level of the step up to where theupper level is planar with the lower level of the step.

[0053] sealing, filling and feathering the triangular opening caused bythe step 20 with the a suitable waterproofing material such as paper,caulk, glue, elastomeric material as shown in FIG. 12B.

[0054]FIG. 13 illustrates another version for preventing alignment ofthe step (or lump) formed at the seam in the rim of the cup and thedrinking aperture in the cap near the rim of the cap. In this version,the rim 19 of the cap 24 has a thread 45 that engages a thread 47 on therim 18 of the cup 10 by twisting the cap onto the rim in a manner wellknown in the art. The thread 45 in the cap 24 and the thread 47 in thecup 10 each have a block 43 so that when the cap 24 is screwed onto thecup 10, the cap will screw onto the cup only until the two blocks, 45and 43, meet. The cap and cup are constructed so that the two blocksmeet when the aperture in the cap is located at a position that isremote (prefereably diametrically opposed) to the position of the stepin the cup.

[0055]FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing another embodiment in whichthe rim 24B of the cap 24 has a convouted extension 24C which capturesleakage 25 that would otherwise spill onto the user

[0056]FIG. 15 is a perspective fiew showing a band 64 around the cup 10with an edge 66 adjacent the rim of the cup 10 flared away from the cup10 to absorb or redirect leaking beveage away from the drinker.

[0057] In view of these variations, I therefore wish to define myinvention by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A beverage dispenser for enabling a user to drink from saiddispenser which comprises: a cup, being a sheet of paper having athickness', and being substantially rectangular, and having a first pairof opposing edges and a second pair of opposing edges; said sheet rolledto where one edge of said first pair of edges overlaps and adheres toanother edge of said first pair of edges; whereby a truncated cone beingside of a cup is formed having a seam of double said thickness formed bysaid overlapping first pair of edges; a bottom panel adhered to one edgeof said second pair of edges whereby a bottom of said cone is formedenabling said cup to hold said beverage; another edge of said secondpair of edges operably rolled to form a rim extending around said conealong said another edge of said second pair of edges whereby said cup,being a truncated cone with a closed bottom and open top with a rim, isformed; a cap having a drinking aperture and arranged to snap onto saidrim enabling a user to drink beverage from said cone through saidaperture from said cup; means for preventing spillage from said beveragedispenser resulting from one of: (i) formation of a gap between said capand said rim at a location where said rim meets said seam, said gap,without said means, resulting from a step in said rim formed by saiddouble thickness of said seam in combination with a single thickness ofsaid sheet remote from said location; said gap resulting in leakage ofbeverage through said gap when said aperture in said cap is proximal tosaid gap when said user attempts to drink from said cup through saidaperture. (ii) said aperture in said cap, without said means forpreventing, being proximal to a gap between said cap and said rim at alocation where said rim meets said seam, said gap resulting from a stepin said rim formed by said double thickness of said seam in combinationwith a single thickness of said sheet remote from said location.
 2. Thebeverage dispenser of claim 1 wherein said spillage results fromformation of said gap between said cap and said rim at a location wheresaid rim meets said seam.; said gap resulting in leakage of beveragethrough said gap when said aperture in said cap is proximal to said gapwhen said user attempts to drink from said cup through said aperture. 3.The beverage dispenser of claim 1 wherein said means for preventingformation comprises: a strip of one of paper and polyethylene straddlingand adhered along said rim including said location; said strip securedby a non-toxic sealant; said strip having feathered edges extending onboth sides of said seam; said cap having sufficient compliance to enablesaid cap to form a seal along an entire length of said strip.
 4. Thebeverage dispenser of claim 3 wherein said strip has a trapezoidal shapeoperably arranged to provide that the thickness of the rim at the seamhas a slope away from both sides of the seam.
 5. The beverage dispenserof claim 2 wherein a second rim (36) is secured over said rim
 6. Thebeverage container of claim 2 wherein said means for preventingformation comprises a shoulder formed in a corner of said sheet wheresaid one edge of said first pair of edges meets said another edge ofsaid second pair of edges providing that said entire rim comprises asingle layer of rolled paper.
 7. The beverage container of claim 2wherein said means for preventing comprises said first pair of edgesbeing feathered and joined to one another in an operable arrangementwhereby thickness of said seam is substantially the same as thethickness of said sheet.
 8. The beverage container of claim 7 comprisinga rod inside said rim at said seam whereby said rim is strengthened. 9.The beverage container of claim 2 wherein said means for preventingspillage comprises a compliant gasket securely mounted on said caparranged to form a seal with said rim when said cap is mounted on saidrim.
 10. The beverage container of claim 2 wherein said means forpreventing leakage comprises said step being shaved at said step towhere said step is converted to a sufficiently gradual slope to preventformation of said gap.
 11. The beverage container of claim 1 whereinsaid spillage results from said aperture in said cap being proximal to agap between said cap and said rim at a location where said rim meetssaid seam, said gap resulting from a step in said rim formed by saiddouble thickness of said seam in combination with a single thickness ofsaid sheet remote from said location and said means for preventingspillage comprises: means for avoiding placement of said cap on said cupwith said aperture proximal to said seam.
 12. The beverage container ofclaim 11 wherein said means for preventing spillage comprises: said caphaving a cap rim with a circumferential channel operably arranged tomate with said rim of said cup; said channel having a channel width thatvaries from a maximum value at one cap rim location to a minimum valueat a diametrically opposite cap rim location; said cup rim having awidth that varies from a maximum value at one cup rim location to aminimum value at a diametrically opposite cup rim location providingthat said cup will mate with said cap only when said cap is orientedwith respect to said cup in a position where said aperture is distalfrom said seam.
 13. The beverage container of claim 11 wherein saidmeans for avoiding comprises: markings adjacent said cup rim andmarkings adjacent said cap rim and instructions on at least one of saidcap rim and said cup rim directing a user to align said markingsadjacent said cup rim with markings adjacent said cap rim arranged toprovide that said aperture is distal from said seam.
 14. The beveragecontainer of claim 11 wherein said means for avoiding comprises: saidrim of said cup and a rim of said cap each configured with a threaddimensioned to permit screwing said cap onto said rim; each said threadhaving a block operably arranged to provide that when said cap I screwedcompletely onto said rim, said block in said rim abuts said block insaid cap where said aperture is distal from said gap. 15 A beveragedispenser for enabling a user to drink from said dispenser whichcomprises: a cup, being a flexible sheet of one of paper and plastichaving a thickness', and being substantially rectangular, and having afirst pair of opposing edges and a second pair of opposing edges; saidsheet rolled to where one edge of said first pair of edges overlaps andadheres to another edge of said first pair of edges; whereby a truncatedcone being side of a cup is formed having a seam of double saidthickness formed by said overlapping first pair of edges; a bottom paneladhered to one edge of said second pair of edges whereby a bottom ofsaid cone is formed enabling said cup to hold said beverage; anotheredge of said second pair of edges operably rolled to form a rimextending around said cone along said another edge of said second pairof edges whereby said cup, being a truncated cone with a closed bottomand open top with a rim, is formed; a cap having a drinking aperture andarranged to snap onto said rim enabling a user to drink beverage fromsaid cone through said aperture from said cup; means for preventingspillage from said beverage dispenser resulting from one of: (i)formation of a gap between said cap and said rim at a location wheresaid rim meets said seam, said gap, without said means, resulting from astep in said rim formed by said double thickness of said seam incombination with a single thickness of said sheet remote from saidlocation; said gap resulting in leakage of beverage through said gapwhen said aperture in said cap is proximal to said gap when said userattempts to drink from said cup through said aperture. (ii) saidaperture in said cap, without said means for preventing, being proximalto a gap between said cap and said rim at a location where said rimmeets said seam, said gap resulting from a step in said rim formed bysaid double thickness of said seam in combination with a singlethickness of said sheet remote from said location.
 16. The beveragecontainer of claim 9 wherein said compliant gasket comprises a sponge.17. The dispenser of claim 15 further comprising: a sponge, being one ofa ring secured around a circumference of said cup adjacent said rim anda sponge piece secured to an outside surface of said cup in an area ofsaid surface including said seam and adjacent said lip.
 18. Thedispenser of claim 15 further comprising: a sponge, being one of a ringsecured around a circumference of said cap inside said cap adjacent saida rim of said cap and a sponge piece secured to an inside surface ofsaid cap in an area adjacent said rim of said cap operably arranged toprevent leakage of beverafe through said gap.
 19. The dispenser of claim18 further comprising a hole in a surface of said cup positioned betweensaid sponge and said lip arranged to provide that beverage that, when auser drinks from said cup with said cap mounted on said cup, beveragewill be short circuited into said sponge through said hole and avoidsflowing through said gap.
 20. The dispenser of claim 17 wherein saidsponge is material selected from a group of materials that consists ofpaper, cloth, synthetic material
 21. The dispenser of claim 18 whereinsaid sponge is material selected from a group of materials that consistsof paper, cloth, synthetic material.
 22. The dispenser of claim 15further comprising: said cap having a rim with a convoluted extensionoperably arranged to capture leakage of beverage that would otherwisespill onto the user.
 23. The dispenser of claim 15 further comprising aband around said cup with an edge adjacent to the rim of the cup flaredaway from the cup to absorb or redirect leaking beverage away from thedrinker.
 24. A method for preventing leakage onto a drinker of abeverage from a cup having a seam on a side of said cup forming a stepin a lip of said cup and a cap that snaps onto said said rim, said caphaving an aperture adjacent said lip for drinking said beverage, saidleakage resulting when said gap is adjacent said gap, said methodincluiding the step of instructing the drinker to avoid mounting the caponto the cup with the cap oriented to where the aperture is adjacentsaid gap.